(The Center Square) – Lawmakers and government leaders are voicing concern over a potential constitutional amendment that would end property taxes across the state.
After the proposed amendment took its second step toward reaching voters in November, alarms began to sound.
Public schools, counties, townships, fire departments, police offices, parks, libraries, road maintenance, senior services, mental health, health care, and countless other government services in Ohio rely on property taxes for all or part of their funding.
If passed, the amendment would eliminate $19 billion in funding for local governments and services, and the proposal does not include an alternative funding source.
“I think the effort to put this forward as a constitutional ballot amendment clearly demonstrates frustration by Ohioans on this issue,” House Minority Leader Allison Russo said. “When the Legislature doesn’t respond, the people usually step up – often through ballot initiatives. However, this particular initiative concerns me because while it eliminates the property tax, it doesn’t explain how we’ll replace the funds that support police, fire departments, public education, and other critical services.”
The Ohio Ballot Board approved the measure as a single issue Wednesday, moving the plan to the signature gathering phase.
Organizers now must collect signatures from registered voters in at least 44 of the state’s 88 counties. The valid signatures must equal at least 3% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election.
Statewide, the total number of valid signatures must be at least 6% of the that election vote total.
If that happens, the Ballot Board would again decide on ballot language, and voters would get the question in November.
Currently, around 20 pieces of legislation in the Ohio Legislature deal with property taxes, including options for a tax circuit breaker, an increase in the homestead exemption and a plan to allow local entities to create residential stability zones.
None have passed, and all remain in a variety of committees.
